COLUMBIA, Mo. — A succession of narrow losses to top teams from the Big 10, Southeastern Conference and other power leagues had some Missouri fans wondering whether the Tigers would have been better served with a bunch of early season patsies.

After Saturday's convincing 97-84 victory over No. 12 Texas in the Big 12 opener for both teams, consider that theory all but obsolete.

It was Missouri's first win over Texas in 10 tries dating to 1999, Norm Stewart's final season as coach of the Tigers.

Reserve guard Keon Lawrence scored a season-high 18 points to lead six players in double figures for Missouri (11-5). Starting guards Jason Horton and Stefhon Hannah both had season highs - 16 for Horton and 15 for Hannah.

The starting guards for Texas had uncharacteristically poor shooting games. Abrams finished 3-of-11 from 3-point range, while Augustin - the preseason choice as Big 12 player of the year - was just 6-of-16 from the field and made just two of his seven free throws.

"We just came out flat, "Abrams said. "If you come out flat in a big conference game, or any conference game, you're going to get beat."

Missouri shot 56.1 percent from the field, including 12-of-26 from 3-point range. Texas shot 43.8 percent from the field, making 9-of-25 of its 3-point attempts.

The 97 points scored were a season high for Missouri which shot 70.4 percent in the second half, including 6-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Texas controlled the first half behind 19 points and seven rebounds from James. The Longhorns led by as many as eight points in the half but went more than 5 minutes with scoring, allowing Missouri to remain within 40-38 at halftime.

Missouri opened a 10-point lead with a 14-2 run to start the second half. The lead grew to as many as 16 points, with Texas getting no closer than six points in the second half.